Measuring just 32mm and weighs
merely 165g (5.8 oz), this standard lens is extremely compact and it is the most
lightweight version among all ZUIKO standard lenses. Naturally, it is also the most
affordable in this series and has sold in big numbers over the years as a bundled
lense for any new purchase of a OM SLR.

With a simple, straight forward optical formulation of 6 elements in 5 groups, Its
optical design provides superb definition for maximum edge-to-edge sharp images throughout
the focusing range. Its closest focusing distance is maintained at 0.45m throughout
the years since its introduction. Other than it can be used as a high performance
day to day lense for general photography, many OM photographers also take advantage
of its high resolving power as a good, cheap alternative bellow lense for close-up
photography.

This Zuiko lense has a long
history where can trace back to almost 30 years ago and has only gone through an
update probably occurred in 1982 with an entirely different optical configuration.
Strangely, Olympus has not been very keen on highlighting any technological advancement
applied to the update neither it has addressed some sensitive issue pertaining to
the lense coating used in these lenses. For an instance, up to a very late stage,
many of the 50mm f/1.8 still have not been identified whether it carries any MC (multi-layers
lens coating) despite the fact most of us know, it is. On the other hand, all Zuiko
AUTO-S 50mm f/1.4 produced after 1984 have added a "MC" identification
in the lens data.

The fast f/1.8 maximum aperture
is ideal for most low light level photographic applications. Other than the Pentax
which has theirs at a slower lense speed of f/1.7, this ZUIKO standard lense is ranked
among the smallest-size f/1.8 standard lense you can find in 35mm SLR photography.
The f/1.8 aperture provides a relatively bright viewfinder image for pin-point focusing
and assuring picture composing.

Current version of the 50mm f/1.8 lense
carries a lighter weight than previous version. The reduction of weight and size
was achieved via redesigned of the lense with a new optical construction of 6 elements
in 4 groups over the older version's 6 elements in 5 groups. However, despite with
the update which aims to improve performance, handling and provide a good portability
for the mobile photographers, the lense still retains a high built quality throughout
which is apparent once you get hold of one in your hand. Technically, you can use
a reverse adapter to convert this lense as a macro lense, but If you are often need
to engage in close focus photography, always invest into a dedicated macro lense
that provide you a good level of versatility that is hard to match by such combination.
A good standard lense for such consideration is the Zuiko 50mm f/3.5 MACRO and Zuiko 50mm f/2.0
MACRO which will be featured
at other sections.

<<<---
Older version of the Zuiko
50mm f/1.8 lense has a silver-chrome front filter rim, as shown on this segmented
scan from an old Olympus catalogue.

Recommended
Focusing Screens: 1:1*, 1:2*, 1:3*, 1:4*, 1:5#,
1:10*, 1:13*, 1:14**Compatible. Focusing
and exposure accuracy remains but at smaller aperture with the use of high shutter
speed, microprism, corners of the screen and split image
may darken.
# Compatible,
they provide accurate focusing but exposure error may occur in manual mode for OM-1
and OM-2 series models. On AUTO, exposure accuracy remains, but the meter needle
may not indicate correct shutter speeds.
##
More info on "Picture
Angle" or make use of the Glossary
section in PIM site..

Additional information
on ZUIKO 50mm
f/2.0PF
(Power Focus) for OM-101 for the US market or OM-88
PF for other markets.

Except for the special application ZUIKO AUTO MACRO 50mm f/3.5 and ZUIKO MACRO
50mm f/2.0 lenses which have the focal length fall on standard lenses category, there
is another special function Zuiko 50mm f/2.0PF lense. It has not been
addressed in this site because of two reasons. Firstly, I have little knowledge relating
to its functions. Second, this lense is a dedicated ZUIKO lense designed specifically
for the OM-101/OM88PF camera.

As the name implies. This ZUIKO lense
provides a unique built-in feature in enabling semi-AF power focus when used in conjunction
with the OM-101/OM88 PF where the camera-driven mechanism will react to focusing
changes. According to what I know, this lense, however is NOT usable on other OM
bodies.

Special
thanks to:
Gregory
P. Logiodice, Bob Gries, Erwin Voogt, Joel Wilcox, Rick
Oleson, Simon Evan and many others for granting permissions to use their images
of either lenses, cameras and own pictures appeared in this Zuiko website.

Credit: My old time buddy,
Ahmad
Ikram,
Dr of Rubber Research Institute (RRI), Malaysia
who shares the same passion with me and also lending his OM-1n, OM-4 and the Motor
Drive 1 to me for preparing some images in this site; Mark Dapoz <md@dementia.org>for reminding
some broken links; Mr Poon of Foto Poon, Ipoh, Mr Richard, Ampang Park,
MrLim and Miss Jenny of Foto Edar for their generosity for
their OM1(n), OM2n camera and some Zuiko lenses. Mr Hans van Veluwen for
mistakenly using some content earlier from his OM website; J Sorensen
for providing some useful images to rectify some technical "flaws"; Mr
Gen Holst for helping during the early stages of development of this OM site;
Mr KKLow for some of his earlier images on the OM-1appeared in this website;
Miss Wati and Mirza for helping me
to convert this Operation Manual into a HTML format. MrMCLau for rectifying
some mistakes made on the earlier preview sites. A personal tribute to the creator
of the OM system and also a site dedicated to all the fans of Olympuses and Zuiko
Optics worldwide. Some of the content and images appeared in this site were scanned
from OM official marketing leaflets, brochures and instruction manual(s) for educational
purposes. Olympus is a registered trade name of Olympus Optical Inc., Japan. Site
created 'unfortunately again with an IMac.